Our Mission, Vision & Goals

The Asia Pacific Centre for Military Law’s (APCML) mission is to ‘promote greater understanding of, and increased respect for, the rule of law in all aspects of military affairs within the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and within militaries throughout the Asia Pacific Region’.

Our vision is to lead the world in research, teaching and engagement on rule of law issues that have an impact on Australian, regional and global military affairs.

In accordance with our mission and vision, our goals for the period 2014-2017 are to collaborate with governments (particularly, but not limited to military and security forces), academic institutions, international organisations, and local organisations to identify and meet legal challenges relating to:

Emerging technologies and their impact on the military and the law

Peace and security operations

Maritime operations

Capacity building in situations of post-conflict or state building

Enforcement of international humanitarian law

Military injustice

We will achieve the above goals by:

Developing and undertaking research that generates new knowledge, develops new ideas, and critically examines established concepts concerning military law

Developing and delivering courses and training programs that have a research, practice and teaching nexus in areas related to military law

Developing methodologies for identifying lessons learned from the planning and conduct of military operations

Developing government, military, academic and other relevant contacts for the promotion of the rule of law

Developing legal expertise in the government and academic domains, particularly among scholars and practitioners from States and institutions that are underrepresented in the international sphere

Providing support for ADF operations and exercises

Engaging at the strategic level with key government and international organisation stakeholders

Engaging with like-minded groups and people so as to better understand the interests and needs of the region

Organising conferences, workshops, seminars and other activities, including an annual Sir Ninian Stephen Visiting Scholar, who will be a recognised international law scholar or practitioner, where possible from the Asia Pacific region, designed to address particular legal concerns and problems.

APCML HIGHLIGHTS

APCML aims to promote greater understanding of and increased respect for the Rule of Law in all aspects of military affairs both within the Australian Defence Force and amongst militaries in the Asia Pacific Region.

Latest News

New Publication: Muggleton on the Law of Non-International Armed Conflict

The APCML is please to announce the publication of Muggleton on the Law of Non-International Armed Conflict. Muggleton on the Law of Non-International Armed Conflict is a detailed study of the law applicable to non-international armed conflict. Dr Paul Muggleton commenced the project as he was concerned that the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq were reshaping the narratives regarding […]

Located in Phnom Penh, the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (or Khmer Rouge Tribunal) was established to bring to justice ‘senior leaders and those most responsible’ for crimes committed in Cambodia during Khmer Rouge rule (1975-1979). Over the last 10+ years, the tribunal has opened investigations into five cases, completed three trials and sentenced three individuals to life imprisonment. […]

Visiting MLS as the the Asia Pacific Centre for Military Law 2017 Sir Ninian Stephen Scholar in October, UN Secretary–General for Legal Affairs, Dr Stephen Mathias gave a public lecture on the topic ‘UN Peacekeeping Today: Legal Challenges and Uncertainties’ In his lecture, Dr Mathias considered the multidimensional nature of UN peacekeeping operations, which […]

The American Society of International Law’s Lieber Society on the Law of Armed Conflict awards the Francis Lieber Prize to the authors of publications that the judges consider to be outstanding in the field of law and armed conflict. Both monographs and articles (including chapters in books of essays) are eligible for consideration — the prize […]

Vale Sir Ninian Stephen Patron of the Asia Pacific Centre for Military Law, 2003 -2017 The Asia Pacific Centre for Military Law (APCML) staff and members were saddened to hear about the passing of the Right Honourable Sir Ninian Stephen KG AK GCMG GCVO KBE KStJ PC QC, aged 94. Sir Ninian held many eminent […]

The APCML military node at Victoria Barracks, Sydney hosted 33 participants, mostly foreign students, for a residential workshop on Rules of Engagement from 17 – 21 July 2017. The workshop focused on the development and drafting of Rules of Engagement for a wide range of military operations. Participants were a mix of Legal Officers and […]

The U.S. Airstrike After the Use of Chemical Weapons in Syria: National Interest, Humanitarian Intervention, or Enforcement Against War Crimes?

The U.S. Airstrike After the Use of Chemical Weapons in Syria: National Interest, Humanitarian Intervention, or Enforcement Against War Crimes? by Mika Hayashi This article by Mika Hayashi, published by the American Society of International Law, analyses the legal consequences of the chemical attack in Khan Shaykhun, Syria, reported on April 4, 2017.

There are two postdoctoral fellowship opportunities currently available at Melbourne Law School: the University of Melbourne’s McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellowship and the Melbourne Law School Postdoctoral Fellowship. Melbourne Law School Postdoctoral Fellowship The MLS Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is designed to support talented, recent doctoral graduates in law to establish and consolidate their research careers and contribute […]

The Asia Pacific Centre for Military Law at the Melbourne Law School is pleased to host the fifth International Criminal Law Workshop on Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th of September 2017. The theme of the workshop will be: ‘Where are we now? Looking Forward to the 20th Anniversary of the Rome Statute’. In keeping with our […]

The Future of ‘Zero Tolerance’ Policies in Peacekeeping Melbourne Law School, Level 9, Room 920 | 185 Pelham St. Carlton This workshop will revisit the UN Secretary-General’s 2003 Bulletin (SGB) which elaborated a policyof ‘zero tolerance’ of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN staff in peace operations. The regulatory impact of the Bulletin has been […]